Troubling the concept of the 'academic profession' in 21st century higher education
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2008
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Higher Education
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Springer
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University of Cape Town
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Abstract
Concern has been expressed about the vulnerability of the 'academic profession'as a consequence of threats from productivism, managerialism and the like (Beck and Young, Br J Sociol Educ 26(2):183–197, 2005). I question the apparent self-understanding of academe as a profession. Referring to thinking from higher education (Barnett, High Educ 40:409–422, 2000a; Educ Phil Theor 32(3):319–326, 2000b; Realizing the University in an age of supercomplexity, 2000c; Stud High Educ 25(3):255–265, 2000d; Lond Rev Educ 2(1):61–73, 2004a; Piper, Are professors professional? The organisation of University examinations, 1994; Taylor 1999), and from the sociology of the professions (in particular Evetts, Int J Sociol Soc Policy 23(4/5):22–35, 2003a; Int Sociol 18(2):395–415 2003b; Curr Sociol 54(1):133–143 2006a; Curr Sociol 54(4):515–531, 2006b), I propose that significant shifts in self-understanding and practice are needed for academe to claim a social role as a 'profession'.
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The final publication is available at Springer via: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10734-007-9109-x.
Reference:
Williams, K. 2008. Troubling the concept of the 'academic profession' in 21st century higher education. Higher Education.